When it comes to changing the atmosphere of your home, few elements can match the warmth and classic elegance that hardwood flooring will provide.

Choosing the right hardwood floor for your home is an important decision that must be carefully considered from a variety of perspectives. Before investing in hardwood flooring, every homeowner should consider the following hardwood flooring selection tips from Arizona Hardwood Floor Supply.

Costs

Installing hardwood flooring is an investment in your home that not only increases its value but also improves its aesthetic appeal. However, you must strike a balance between the look you want and the budget you have. The prices for different wood species vary, and additional costs may include installation, finishing, and other related expenses.

Consider both the initial cost of the hardwood and the total square footage of the area you want to cover. It is also important to consider installation costs, which vary depending on the difficulty of the task at hand and the type of subfloor in your home.

Your Lifestyle

We strongly recommend that you begin your journey toward hardwood flooring by examining your lifestyle and how you use the space you have available to you. It is critical to consider your daily routines, the amount of foot traffic that your floors will receive, and whether you have young children or pets.

If your home receives a lot of foot traffic, especially in central areas like the living room or kitchen, you should choose a hardwood that can withstand wear and tear without being damaged. Long-lasting options, such as oak or hickory, are excellent choices because they can withstand the wear and tear of a busy household.

Color and Finish

There are numerous options for hardwood floor colors. Depending on the wood species and finish, you can achieve a variety of colors, including blond, dark brown, gray, and red.

When selecting a species and finish, take into account the other colors in your home to ensure that the end result does not clash with your existing decor, particularly the color of the walls in the room where you will be installing the flooring.

Hardwood floors are completely customizable in every way, so you can create exactly what you want.

Wood Species

The species of wood you use affects the appearance, durability, and cost of your hardwood flooring. Each species has unique characteristics, ranging from grain pattern to natural color. Oak is a popular choice due to its durability and versatility. The product is available in both red and white, with each having a distinct grain pattern and coloration.

Maple is another popular choice, with its light color and smooth grain. Hickory, on the other hand, has a more rustic appearance and eye-catching color variations.

If you want something more distinctive, exotic species like Brazilian cherry or tigerwood have eye-catching patterns and colors. However, they may be more expensive and require more maintenance, so when choosing exotic hardwood, consider both your budget and the need for long-term care.

Your Current Layout

Factors such as your space’s dimensions, orientation, and lighting conditions may have a significant impact on the type of hardwood flooring that will work best in it.

When it comes to smaller rooms, choosing lighter hardwoods can create the impression that the space is larger and more open. When it comes to larger areas, you have more design options because you can choose between light and dark wood, which can create stunning visual effects.

Furthermore, rooms that receive a lot of natural light tend to make lighter wood look better, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Darker woods can infuse a room with a sense of elegance and coziness, making them an excellent choice for rooms with limited natural light.

The direction and width of the plank can both influence spatial perception. Installing planks perpendicular to the longest wall can make a room appear more intimate; installing planks parallel to the longest wall can create the illusion of a larger room.

Maintenance Frequency

The frequency of maintenance is a crucial factor to consider. Sometimes, people believe that hardwood requires less maintenance than other types of flooring, but this is not always the case.

What you need to know is how much care is required to keep it free of stains and scratches, as well as whether it is easily scratched or stained. With all of this information at your disposal, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which type of flooring will best meet your needs.